Once again, France, which distinguished itself by adopting the first single book price in 1981, played the pioneers by imposing a new measure favorable to bookstores. The Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak as well as Bruno Le Maire, her counterpart in the economy and finance, signed the decree which will set at 3 euros minimum the regulatory threshold for shipping costs for lower book orders at 35 euros. This order was published in Official newspaper Friday 7 April and will be applicable six months later.
In line with the Darcos law of 2021, the government thus wished to raise the floor price for the delivery of books to encourage readers to go more to bookstores. An eruptive file. Until now, Amazon, always opposed to such a measure, charges, whatever the price of the book, only one euro cent (the minimum threshold in force since 2014) to its Prime subscribers. Just like FNAC.
In the event of a mix of orders at Amazon, if a customer buys a coffee maker and a book for example, the 3 euros for transport will apply from October 7. However, on this date, the shipping costs will remain at one euro cent for all book orders over 35 euros.
speed war
Since the health crisis, which has prompted independent booksellers to strengthen their online sales, they have complained about the very high price of these postal items and unfair competition from Amazon. With this decree, all book sellers will be placed under the same measuring rod. However, the war of speed of delivery should still rage since Amazon can deliver in one day, where independent bookstores or even other sites, such as Leclerc, Cultura or FNAC offer much longer deadlines.
It was the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications, Posts and Press Distribution (Arcep) that suggested this minimum price of 3 euros. A middle way that the government has therefore made its own. On the one hand, Amazon argued for 1.49 euros, the cost of sending a book weighing less than 500 grams in the European Union.
On the other, booksellers wanted a minimum of 4.50 euros, believing that they were not covering their costs, even at this price. Imperative to change the rules of the game, the green light from the European Commission was granted only after a litany of explanations from the rue de Valois. This fight in Brussels, particularly bitter, did not seem at all won in advance in February.
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